Are you not sleeping as well as you used to? You're not the only one!
Almost half of men and women over the age of 65 say they have at least one sleeping problem. An example of this is insomnia.
It's no secret; the older you get, the more your body changes. So is your sleeping pattern. In general, older people sleep less, suffer from broken nights and often sleep very lightly. However, quality rest remains a must for a healthy lifestyle.
What Causes Sleep Problems As You Age?
Some common reasons are:
Bad sleeping habits : The body needs routine. By going to bed and waking up around the same time every day, you create an “internal clock”. Deviating from this will make it more difficult to experience quality rest. It is also a good idea to stop drinking alcohol before going to bed, create a calm environment and only lie in bed when you are asleep. This is also the case for every age group.
Medications: Medications can affect falling and staying asleep. In some cases, medications even stimulate staying awake. If you suffer from this, we strongly advise you to have yourself checked by a doctor.
Worry, stress or sadness: Aging brings many changes. Some positive, others less so. During the more difficult periods, stress can be a major culprit for your sleep.
We advise to inform a doctor during these periods. They can help ease your thoughts so that you can rest better in the longer term.
Sleep Disorders : In addition to the well-known insomnia, we are also talking about apnea, restless legs syndrome , periodic limb movement disorder and REM behavior disorder. Be sure to get checked if symptoms of these disorders match your complaints.
Too much free time: Many people stay active well into their old age, but if your days are short, it can be harder to sleep well.
Are you getting enough sleep? Everybody is different. If you sleep less than you did when you were younger, but still feel rested and energized during the day, you may need less sleep now.
However, we definitely recommend informing your doctor if your sleep deprivation affects you during the day. There are steps you can take to rest better. Many of them are simple adjustments to your daily routine, such as a regular routine, being more active, and taking steps to calm your mind before going to bed.
Pharmacist Dirk
Founder Metis Supplements
